Coreless scoop machine



' Feb 7, 195@ L. H. MORIN CORELESS SCOOP MACHINE Filed Jan. 26, 1.945

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Lou/5 fl MGM/v ATTORNEY Feb. 7, E950 L. H. MORIN 3 CORELESS SCOOP MACHINE Filed Jan. 26, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 100/5 /2! Mam/v i atenteci 7,

UNITED STATES PATENT omcri 2,497,010 CORELESS sooor lVIACHINE Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N. Y.- Application January 26, 1945, Serial No. 574,697

20 Claims.

This invention relates to die casting machines, wherein casting material is pressure injected into the cavities of relatively movable dies in forming die castings. More particularly, the invention deals with die casting machines designed primarily for the production of what I term coreless scoops of separable fastener stringers, whereby a plurality of scoops can be simultaneously formed upon the stringer tape in a single casting operation and the dies separated and the castings freed from the die cavities. Still more particularly, the invention deals with a die casting machine, wherein the dies may be operated toward and from each other in a common alinement or wherein the dies may be moved angularly to each Lother in freeing the castings from the die cavities.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing,

in which certain embodiments of the-invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and in which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic and partial front View of one form of casting machine which I employ with parts of the construction broken away and in section.

Fig. la is a detailed front View of the stringer length control chain omitted from the sectional illustration in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing only a part of the construction.

Fig. 3 is a section on the broken line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detailed sectional view showing the dies in a closed position, the section being substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the dies in open position.

Figs. 6-9 inclusive are diagrammatic crosssectional views through a control valve which I employ illustrating the port arranged therein with respect to the discharges in the valve casing.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified arrangement of the dies and operating cylinders, the illustration being diagrammatic and only showing part of the construction.

Fig. 11 is a detailed sectional view showing part of the feeler mechanism of Fig. l on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the stop switch mechanism of the machine.

In the formation of die castings having un- .dercut recesses, it has been customary to form these castings one at a time and utilizing cores on the parting line of the dies to form the undercut portions or recesses in the resulting castings. For example, in the formation of scoops of separable fastener stringers, it has been a common practice to form the scoops on core pins, which pins formed the recess or similar coupling portions of the scoops, thus necessitating the formation of these scoops one at a time. While the present machine is applicable to the construction of castings of any type or kind, in the accompanying drawing, the dies shown in the machine are adapted to form a plurality of the scoops in question simultaneously or in a single casting operation upon the edge of the stringer tape. The scoops in question have been termed the coreless type, in the sense that they are formed without the use of core pins and comprise scoop bodies which are substantially V-shaped in cross-sectional form throughout the length thereof. I have found that scoops of this type and kind, as well as other castings having wall structures of this type and kind, can be discharged from the cavities of the dies by movement of said dies from each other in common alinement, or by moving the dies angulally to each other, the angularity being determined largely by the angularity of the undercut wall portions of the castings being formed. In both instances, the dies will freely separate and the castings will be discharged from the die cavities. In the first instance, the castings will move angularly to the line of separation of the dies, whereas in the other instance, the castings will remain stationary and the dies will separate by reason of movement thereof at least parallel to the undercut angular surfaces of the castings.

I also employ a machine of the type and kind under consideration which is automatic in its operation and in which the several mechanisms are operated in at least one direction by compressed air. In this connection, the dies are operated in two distinct manners, one by low air pressure which initially moves the dies into a close proximity to each other and then, under high pressure, in firmly supporting the dies in abutting relationship to each other and in engagement with a tape or other mounting member when the latter is employed.

Further automatic means is provided to prevent operation of the machine should any foreign matter be present between abutting surfaces of the dies which would keep the dies in spaced relationship to each other, thus preventing injection of thecastins material intothe dies which 3 are not firmly supported in abutting relationship completely closing the die cavities.

Means is also provided to control and regulate, from time to time, automatic feed of a stringer tape or other mounting member in controlling th increments of feed of the tape consistent with the number of castings formed thereon in the production of stringer lengths. Also, means is provided for widely spacing the tape or mounting member in subdividing the stringer lengths on a long workpiece tape fed through the machine.

In the accompanying drawing, only such parts of a die casting machine are shown as are necessary to illustrate my present invention.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, represents the upper framework of a die casting machine, in the upper side portions of which are arranged cylinders 2I2la, both of which are of the same construction and, therefore, the brief description of one will apply to both. Extending from each of these cylinders are plungers 22 which detachably support, at the inner ends .thereof, dies 23. Detachable retaining plates 24 are provided at the front of the frame ,togive access to the dies and to facilitate attachmentand detachment thereof. The dies are mounted on supporting blocks 25, one of which isshown at the rightof Fig. l, and removal of the plates 24 gives access to screws 28 which hold theblocks in position on the plungers 22.

Water circulating tubes 21 communicate with the dies 23 proper to cool the dies and the plungers 22 also have water circulating passages 28, with which circulating tubes 29, shown at the left of Fig. 1, communicate. This latter construction keeps the plungers cool and, thus, prevents heat fiow-through the frame of the machine and, particularly, to the cylinders 2|2 Ia.

At 38 is shown the drive shaft of the'machine driven from an electric -motor or other drive, as diagrammatically indicated by the belt and pulley construction 3|, at the left of Fig. 1 of the'drawing, adjacent whichis a hand wheel 32,'by means of which the shaft may be manually rotated whenever desired. At the right of Fig. 1 of the drawing is shown at 33 an air valve driven from the shaft through a gear 34 on the shaft '30 and a gear 35 on the'valve.

The valve 33 is operatedin a suitable valve casing 36, which in turn is supported ina housing 31. The valve 33 has extending through the housing 31 a shaft 38 on the end of which is mounted a worm 39 operatively engaging a worm gear 40. The gear 40 is on a shaft 4|, ,carryingat its forward end a sprocket 42 on which is arranged a control chain 43.

The valve 33 controls operation of the several air actuated mechanisms ofthe machine. In the present application, we are concerned primarily with three of these mechanisms; first, the operation of the dies through the cylinders 2l-2la, the operation of tape grippers and feed mechanism, later described, and, further,-the operation of the automatic stop or feeler mechanism which will also be later described.

Noting Fig. 1' of the drawing, 44 represents an inlet for high pressure air comingv from any suitable source, not shown. Thissupplies air to a central longitudinal bore or'passage 45 in the valve 33. At the other end of the valve casing is a low pressure air supply port "46, note Fig. 6 of .the drawing, for supplying air'to the long discharge passage 41, with which a single discharge port 48 communicates. The passage 41 has two branch ports 49 and 58 which are exposed to the valve 33 for communication with circumferential passages formed in the periphery of said valve. A passage 5i registers with the port 49 and is adapted to place the ports 46 and 49 in communication for the supply of low pressure air to both cylinders 2i-2la. The valve has a circumferential passage 52 communicating with the high pressure air supply passage 45 through the radial port 53 and the passage 52 is adapted to register with the port 58. Also registering with this port is another passage 54 placed in communication with a common exhaust port 55 in the valve 33 through a radial passage 56.

Dealing with the structure thus far described, it will be apparent that, in the cycle of rotation of the valve 33, low pressure air, from a source not shown, will first be supplied to the cylinders through the discharge 48, after which high pressure air will be directed to the cylinders through the same discharge 48 by reason of the passage 47, this air coming on top of the low pressure air for imparting the initial movement of the dies. This construction is shown in diagrammatic cross-section in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawing.

In Fig. 8 of the drawing is shown a crosssection through the valve, where a high pressure discharge port 57 is adapted to bebrought into registering position with an exhaust port 58 leading to a stop feeler mechanism, generally identified by the reference character 59 and two of which are used in control of the operation of both dies, the one discharge of high pressure air through the port 58 being directed to both-mechanisms 59. In alinement with the passage 57, the valve has another circumferential passage 68 communicating with the exhaust 55, as seen at 6 i At 62 is shown another exhaust in the valve casing 36, with which is adapted to register a high pressure supply passage 63 communicating with the supply bore 45,.as well as an exhaust passage 64 communicating with the exhaust 55, as clearly shown in Fig. 9 of the drawing.

The inlet port 44 communicates with a complete annular groove 35 in the valve 33 which registers with one end of the high pressure bore 45 through a radial port 66,.as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

Each cylinder 2i-2la comprises a head or cap end 61, having a projecting cylindrical portion 58 adapted to be clamped into a sliding member 69. In threaded engagement with the head is a cylinder proper -18. This construction is provided in order to adjust movement of dies toward each other to what might be termed a fixed stop position, where the dies are firmly in engagement with each other. This adjustment prevents the dies from being brought into engagement with each other in the usual manner which tends to damage or excessively wear the impression surfaces of the dies.

Arranged in each cylinder is a piston l! of general longitudinal section, as shown at the right of Fig. 1 of the drawing. Arranged around the shaft end 72 of the plunger 22 shock absorbing ring i3 adapted to .absorb the shock of the air operated piston "i! rather than to have this shock taken up by the face of the dies. The piston "H has a shoulder portion '14, upon which rests a washer or disc 15 supported on the reduced end 16 of the shaft 12. This washer is disposed between the shoulder and one end of the shock absorbing ring 13. This construction provides a floating mounting of the shaft within the piston, thus obviating the necessity of trying to aline the plunger shaft with the piston.

Arranged between the washer l5 and the head end f the cylinder 10 is a coil spring 11 which serves to move the piston 1| outwardly, when the air is exhausted through the rotary control valve and in separating the dies 23. At 18 is shown an intake and exhaust passage opening into the chamber 19 in the cylinder, the passage com,- municating with a pipe indicated in dotted lines at 80, which extends to and communicates with the exhaust port 48, it being understood that this communication is established to each of the cylinders. It will thus be apparent that first low pressure air is supplied to the :chamber'IS to move the dies toward each other, after which the high pressure air is injected into the chamber 19 of each cylinder. This brings the dies into firm engagement with each other and supports them in this engagement during that period of the cycle of the operation of the machine when casting material is pressure injected into the die cavities 8 I, note Fig. 5, through a conventional gate 82 from the discharge nozzle, part of which is indicated at 83 in Fig. 2 of the drawing. As the conventional gooseneck and pot construction and the mechanisms for actuating the same form no part of the present conception, this mechanism isn't shown, nor is the means for operating the same.

After the cast unit has been formed, which in the present construction comprises six scoops 84 on a mounting tape 85, air will be exhausted from the chambers 79 of both cylinders and the spring will operate to separate the dies. The cast scoops 84 are of what I term the coreless type or, in other words, are of the V-shaped cross-sectional contour shown diagramatically in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing. Thus, as the dies 23 separate, the scoops 84 are moved upwardly a slight extent by virtue of the angular contour of the opposed sides thereof for engagement with corresponding cavities of the dies. This movement, however, is very slight and, in many instances, may be compensated for by the yielding of the tape 85, while this tape is held between a pair of grippers 86, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing.

Before proceeding to describe the grippers and the tape feed mechanism, attention is first directed to the stop or feeler mechanism 59 employed for each die or the plunger 22 thereof. This mechanism is designed to prevent discharge of casting material from the nozzle 83 in the event that the dies are not brought firmly into engagement with each other by reason of some foreign matter coming between the dies or, if for any reason, one of the dies has not completed its full stroke. Here again, as each mechanism 59 is of the same construction, the brief description of one will apply to both and one of these mechanisms is shown in section at the right of Fig. 1 of the drawing, as well as in Fig. 11.

The mechanism comprises'a plunger or piston 81 mounted in a cylinder 88. The piston 8'! is in the form of a valve having a reduced annular portion 89 adapted to be brought into registering position with oppositely arranged ports 99 and SI. The port 90 communicates with the port 58 of the valve casing 36, whereas the port 9| is adapted to direct air to a bellows-type of diaphragm 92 for actuating a lever 93 in controlling a switch 94 for stopping the operation of the machine. The parts 92, .93and 94 are only diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 12 in that they form no direct part of the invention and arecommonly known types of control switches.

Adjustably supported in the piston valve 81 is a screw 95 adapted to operate upon one end of the lever 96, the other end 91 of which operates in aslottedportion 98 of the plunger 22, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing. Normally, the piston or plunger valve is held in closed position, as seen in Fig. 11 of the drawing when the dies are fully closed. However, should any obstruction prevail between the dies, the movement of the valve 87 to the position closing and sealing the closed ports BE], 9! would not be accomplished and, therefore, air will pass from the port to the port 9| and, thus, operate the stop switch. This operation will take place instantaneously upon the incomplete closing movement of the dies providing an instantaneous stoppage of the machine. It will be understood that both piston valves 81 must assume their sealed position in order to allow the machine to continue its cycle of operation.

At the top of the frame and directly above the dies 23 are two angular supports and guides 99 for the tape 85. A spring-pressed roller I00 is also employed to hold the tape upon one of the supports 89 simply to apply suificient frictional engagement to the tape tocontrol its movement through the machine and, particularly, in supporting the tape in a substantially straight position for engagement by the gripper fingers 8'6 of the tape feed mechanism.

The tape feed mechanism is, in part, omitted from Fig. 1, but is shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. The gripper fingers 86 are pivoted to a block H, as seen at I02, the fingers having on adjacent surfaces interengaging teeth M3 to provide equalized movement of the fingers. Both end portions of the block l0! are yoke shaped in form, the yoke at one end forming a recess I04 for the grippers 86 and at the other end a recess m5 at right angles to the recess I04 and adapted to receive the upper end of a plunger rod I06. The rod N36 is clamped intoposition by a clamp plate I01 secured to the block Illl by a screw or bolt construction, generally indicated by the reference character I08.

The gripper or jaw members 86 have end portions which overlie the block and part of these ends have fiat surfaces Hi9- adapted to be engaged by short plungers Hi] actuated by air introduced between adjacent surfaces of the plungers through a port Ill, which registers with an air supply port or passage H2 in the rod I06, note Fig. 2 of the drawing. 7 It will be noted from a consideration of Fig. 3 of the drawing that the bottom wall of the recess I04 has beveled walls H3 providing a clearance for operation of the grippers or jaws 86. Further, this wall has atransverse passage H4 to receive a spring H5 coupled with the opposed jaws to support the jaws or the surfaces I09 thereof at all times in engagement with the outerrounded ends of the plungers H8. It will thus be seen that, when compressed air is introduced between the plungers, the grippers 86 Will be moved into firm engagement with the tape and, when this air is released, the spring l5 will separate the grippers to provide movement thereof relatively to the tape in the inter,- mittent feed of the tape 85.

Pivotally supported inthe frame on opposed 7 pivots H6 is a cylinder ill, in which is arranged 7 a piston I I8, secured to the lower .end of rod 105, note Fig. 2. The piston is held lrrraised position by a spring II 9 and is moved'downwardly against the tension of the spring by compressed air entering a port I at the top of-thecylinder through a flexible tube IZ-I, note Fig. 1, and through a passage I22 extending into-the upper end of the cylinder. This =air operation of the piston H8 controls the intermittent feed ofthe tape 85 to bring new sections thereof into position to-receive the next-successivegrouper-castings.

Arranged upon the upper-endof the cylinder :and encircling the plunger IDS is aspacing or control washer ring I23, :the thickness-of which or the number of which employed will control the length of feed of the tape. Where the tape feed would vary in controlling the-sections of the tape 'to be brought into .POSitiOIltOIB- ceive the castings, it is, of course, essential to vary the point at which the downward movement of the piston H8 is stopped or. checked by the block IfiI striking the disc-or'ring123. In scoops of a commonsizeythey may be cast two or more at a time and with the larger size of scoops, a lesser number of castings will be formed than withthe smaller size of scoops. For illustrative purposes, let us say that six scoops representaninch increment; then the tape feed willbeby way of inches in each cycle of opera- .tionof the machine. At the lowerend of --the cylinder is a closure capI24 having an-aperture or-vent I 25 therein to exhaust air'from the'lower end of the cylinder, the cap otherwise'forming a seat for one end of 'the-spring l l9. By mounting the cylinder on thepivotsIIG, the complete gripper and tape feedmechanism can be swung forwardly to fully expose the dies whenever desired. The upper end of thecylinder will have side extending :oppositely projecting cleats I26, note'Fig. 1, adapte'dto'be engagedby slidably adjustable retainer plates or clips I21. These clips .orplates .will support the feed mechanism in .operative position, but-by loosening the "clips ;I2l' and disengaging them from the cleats I25,

the unit may be freely swung forwardfor the purposes stated. The cleats I21 have elongated apertures I28 in which clamp-bolts IZ-Qpperate.

In Fig. 2 of the drawing, a good bitof the background of the machine has been omitted.

However, the sliding member- 69'isshown'and this 'mem'ber has laterally extending keys 130 at the lower-portion thereof'operating 'in keyways or channels I3I so that this-memben carryingwith itthe cylinder, the plunger-and'the die, a can he manually moved'through the-medium of a hand lever, one of which is -shown at*I32 at theleft of Fig. 1 of the drawing. This movementis to providea wide spacing of the dies as and when it may be desired. Each lever I32 is arranged on -.a shaft I33, --note "the right side .of Fig. l, the shaft I33 having--an eccentric pin I34 operating in-an elongated slot-in'the member 69, whereby rotation of the lever "will moveithe member .69 inwardly and outwardly.

In the wall portions I35, inwhic-h-themhannels orkey-ways l3l are=formed, are-supported stop pins I 36 operating inelongated-apertures I37, note the right-side of Fig. 1. to limit inward and outward movements of the member 69.

On the shaft -38 within the-housing 31 are two cams- I38 and I39 which actuatea valve mechanism I40 controlling supply of'air'to thegoo'seneck .of the machine through-a pipe Pin-controlling discharge of casting material through the nozzle83,-shown in partiri Fig. 2 of the drawing. This construction is old and forms-no specific part of the invention and; for this reason, is not shown. However, from the standpoint of valve operationthroughthe medium of cams, such as the cams I38 and I39, attention is d-i-' rected to the disclosure inPatent 2,224,979 of December 17, 1940. On the chain 43, note'Fig. I-a, are a number of trips I42 which actuate a lever I43 in controlling operation of the valve mechanism for the purpose of shutting off the supply of air to the gooseneck, thus preventing-discharge-of casting material, while the tape feed-mechanism continues to perform its operation and feed for example, three sections of the tape throughthedies in wide spacing the scoops on the tape, thus controlling stringer lengths. The length of the chain will govern the stringer lengths or, mother words, the number of increments or groups of s coops formed on the stringer. The feed of the sprocket 42 is such that each link of the chain will represent a cast increment and each trip I42 will correspond to a link, thus if a stringer length would comprise ten increments or ten series of six cast scoops, then a wide spacing of the tape equivalent to three increments will be provided if threetrips I42 are employed. The changing of stringer lengths is accomplished simply by employing chains 43 which will control the predetermined stringer length desired.

As regards the intermittent movement of the dies toward and from each other by introduction of air intothe respective cylinders 2I-2Ia, it will be understood that this movement is just suflicient to clear the cast scoops from the surfaces of the dies-allowing the scoops to pass between the dies when in open position. The wide spacing of the dies is accomplished through the hand operated levers I32 for purposes of inspection and thelike.

The machine, as illustrated in Figs. l-9 inclusive, deals with dies that are moved toward and from each other in the common plane or alinement.

However, in Fig. 10 of the drawing, -I have shown diagrammatically another arrangement wherein the dies are moved angularly to each other and at angles consistent with the angularity of undercut portions of the castings and, in this construction, the castings will remain stationary as the dies separate. This type of construction is particularly desirable with larger types of castings and where the travel or feed of a casting in dies -operated,-as seen in Fig.1, would be of such degree-as to be more practically handled in the manner shown in Fig. 10 by leaving the castings stationary andmoving'the dies to clear the undercut portion ofthe castings.

In that the structure of the various parts shown in Fig-10 of the'drawing is'generally the same as that shown in the other figures, no detailed description or illustration will be given except in the general identification oi the units asa whole. In Fig. 10, I have shown at I44 the dies which are arranged in the angularly disposed plungers 'I-45 similar to the plungers'22. 'At I48 are shownthe-cylinders similar to the cylinders 2I2Ia. -At I41 is shown the tape gripper and feed mechanism similar to the mechanism shown in*-Figs.=1, 2 and 3 of the drawing. 'At I48 are shown the hand-levers similar tothe levers I32 for manuallyoperating the cylinders I46 and the plungers I45 in 'widely'separating the dies.

Theframe I49 of-the machine, shown in Fig-10,

will be modified in structure simply to adapt it for the angular mounting of the cylinders M6 and the plungers' I45, but otherwise the machine would be of the same general structure as that shown in the other figures. From this standpoint, many of the structural details have been omitted from Fig. 10. In this connection, it will also be understood that the stop feeler mechanism, similar to the mechanism 59, will be employed, as well as the air valve mechanism and the controls therefor, all to be consistent with the showin and method of operation as disclosed in conjunction with the machine illustrated in Figs. 1-9 inclusive.

The operation of the machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings will be understood from the foregoing description and the following statement.

With the grippers 86 engaging the tape, the dies are first moved toward each other by the low pressure air introduced into the chambers iii of the respective cylinders '2 I-2 Ia, at which time the passage places the ports 46 and 41 in communication.

If the dies moved by this low pressure air as sume the normal relationship to each other, the passages 9i, through the feeler mechanisms 59, will be closed or blocked by the pistons 81.

As the valve continues to rotate, the passage 52 will be brought into registering position with the port 58 and. high pressure air will be supplied to the chambers 19, thus positively supporting the dies in firm engagement with each other and with the tape or mounting member 85 disposed therebetween.

At this time, air willbe introduced into the gooseneck of the machine, not shown, through the pipe I 4 If and casting material discharged from the nozzle 83 into the die cavities forming the group of castings 8 on the tape 85. Thereafter, the passage 54 is brought into registering engagement with the port 5!! and air is exhausted from the chambers H3 and, at this time, the spring 11 will move the pistons H outwardly separating the dies. At the same time, air will be exhausted from the port 58 by registration of the passage 60 therewith, as seen in Fig. 8 of the drawing.

In the above part of the cycle of operation, namely when the dies are open, air under pressure will be supplied to the ports I I2 and I20 from a the port 52 of the control valve with the port 63 registering therewith, as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 9 of the drawing. This supply of air will move the grippers 86 into firm engagement with the tape andalso move the plunger H8 downwardly in feeding the tape together with the castings 84 thereon downwardly to bring the next section of the tape in position to receive the next group of castings. This downward feed of the tapeis-checked and controlled by the disc or ring I23, as previously described.

The period or cycle of operation, as mentioned in the foregoing,-- is diagrammatically illustrated in the sectional views of the control valve, as seen in Figs. 6-9 inclusive; in other words, the gripper and tape feed have just started their operation and air has been exhausted from the cylinders 2I-2 I a as well as from the passage 58 leading to the feeler mechanism. As the valve continues to rotate, low pressure air will again be introduced into the cylinders 2I-2 Ia moving the dies into closed position, after which high pressure air will be introduced into the cylinders moving the dies into firm engagement with each pther andthe above cycle of operation will again be repeated. It will be clear from a consideration of Figs. 6 and 9 that, after low pressure air has been introduced into the cylinders 2I-2 Ia moving the dies into closed relationship to each other and into engagement with the tape, air is exhausted from the grippers, thus freeing the grippers from the tape and allowing the spring I E9 to raise the grippers along the tape to bring them into the next position preparatory to again feeding the tape with the castings thereon downwardly.

Briefly stated, in each cycle of operation, the dies are first moved toward each other through the action of low pressure air and then into firm engagement with each other by the action of high pressure air, the casting material injected into the dies, the high pressure air exhausted from the die operating cylinders causing the dies to separate, the gripper mechanism and tape feed is actuated to bring a new section of the tape in position to receive the next group of castings, the dies again closed and the tape gripper and feed mechanism returned to normal position, preparatory to the next feeding operation. These operations continue until a complete stringer length has been formed, at which time, the trips I42 will operate to shut off the supply of air to the gooseneck for three cycles of operation of the machine, during which all other operations are performed, particularly with respect to the tape feed mechanism. These three operations will provide the wide spacing ofthe tape between the stringer length of castings thereon. The degree of spacing may be varied by changing the number of trips employed. 1

Throughout the specification and claims, where reference is made to the exhausting of high pressure air from the cylinders 2I2Ia in the opening of the dies, it will be understood that this is to define the exhaust of the combined low and high pressure air previously introduced into the cylinders and, at the time, being properly classified as high pressure air.

Certain of the features disclosed but not claimed herein are described and. claimed in my copending application Serial No.- 753,673, filed June-10, 1947, as a continuation-in-part hereof.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic die casting machine for forming groups of undercut castings on a mounting member comprising a pair of dies having cavities on adjacent surfaces thereof for forming a group of individual castings on a mounting member disposed between said adjacent surfaces of the dies, means for initially moving the dies toward each other through the medium of low pressure air, means for introducing high pressure air to the first named means for moving and holding the dies in fully closed position, means for separating the dies upon the exhaust of saidhigh pressure air, and gripper and feed means for intermittently gripping and feeding the mounting member relatively to the dies and for supporting said member when the dies are in open position.

An automatic die casting machine for forming groups of undercut castings on a mounting member comprising, a pair of dies having cavities on adjacent surfaces thereof for forming a group of individual castings on a mounting member disposed between said adjacent surfaces of the dies, means for initially moving the dies toward each other through the medium of low pressure air, means for introducing high pressure air to the first named means for moving and holding the dies in fully closed position, means for separating the dies upon the exhaust of said high pressure air, gripper and feed means for intermittently gripping and feeding the mounting member relatively to the dies and for supporting said member when the dies are in open position, said first named means comprising air cylinders with pistons in said cylinders and a plunger coupling each piston with one of said dies.

3. In a die casting machine employing a pair of dies movable toward and from each other, an operating unit for each die, each unit comprising a cylinder having an air actuated piston therein, a plunger supporting the die, means at one end of the plunger for non-rigidly engaging said piston, yieldable means for moving the piston and plunger in the direction for moving the die into open position, and shock absorbing means for limiting movement of the piston as it moves the die into closed position.

4. In a die casting machine employing a pair of dies movable toward and from each other, an operating unit for each die, each unit comprising a cylinder having an air actuated piston therein, a plunger supporting the die, means at one end of the plunger for engagement by said piston, yieldable means for moving the piston and plunger in the direction for moving the die into open position, shock absorbing means for limiting movement of the piston as it moves the die into closed position, each cylinder comprising relatively adjustable parts, whereby movement of the die into closed position may be positively controlled, and each unit having automatically actuated means for stopping the machine in the event of an incomplete closing movement of either of said dies,

5. In a die masting machine employing a pair of dies movable toward and from each other, an operating unit for each die, each unit comprising a cylinder having an air actuated piston therein. a plunger supporting the die, means at one end of the plunger for receiving the thrust of said piston, yieldable means for moving the piston and plunger in the direction for moving the die into open position, means in each cylinder for limiting movement of the piston as it moves the die into closed position, each cylinder comprising relatively adjustable parts, whereby movement of the die into closed position may be positively controlled. each unit having automatically actuated means for stopping the machine in the event of an incomplete closing movement of either of said dies, said last named means comprising a feeler mechanism including a lever operatively engaging the unit, a piston having an adjustable engagement with said lever, and said piston including a passage controlling air ports of a high pressure air line directed to means for stopping machine operation.

6. In an automatic die casting machine employing a mounting member and a pair of dies for intermittently formin castings on spaced sections of said member, a gripper and feed mechanism comprising a pair of grippers, air actuated means for supporting the grippers in operative engagement with a mounting member, means for opening the grippers upon the release of the air supply to said last named means, an air actuated plunger for moving said gripper and feed mechanism in order to feed the mounting member relatively to the dies, and means for moving said plunger in the opposite direction in order to move 12 said mechanism relatively to the mounting mem ber.

7. In an automatic die casting machine of the class described employing air operated die units, an air actuated workpiece gripper and feed mechanism. an air actuated stop switch for starting and stopping said machine, feeler mechanisms controlling air supply to said stop switch, an automatically actuated valve controlling supply and exhaust of air to said units and mechanism in each cycle of operation of the machine, said valve including means for supplying both low and high pressure air to said units, said valve having an extending shaft, and means on said shaft controlling operation of an auxiliary valve for supplying air utilized in the control of injecting casting material into the impressions of the dies.

8. In an automatic die casting machine of the class described employing air operated die units, an air actuated workpiece gripper and feed mechanism, an air actuated stop switch for starting and stopping said machine, feeler mechanisms controlling air supply to said stop switch, an automatically actuated valve controlling supply and exhaust of air to said units and mechanism in each cycle of operation of the machine, said valve including means for supplying both low and high pressure air to said units, said Valve having an extending shaft, means on said shaft controlling operation of an auxiliary valve for supplying air utilized in the control of injecting casting material into the impressions of the dies, a chain sprocket geared to said valve shaft, said sprocket being adapted to support a control chain having trips thereon, and means operatively engaging the chain and the trips thereon for controlling operation of said auxiliary valve.

9. An automatic die casting machine for forming groups of undercut castings on a mounting member comprising a pair of dies having cavities on adjacent surfaces thereof for forming a group of individual castings on a mounting member disposed between said adjacent surfaces of the dies, means for initially moving the dies toward each other through the medium of low pressure air, means for introducing high pressure air to the first named means for moving and holding the dies in fully closed position, means for separating the dies upon the exhaust of said high pressure air, gripper and feed means for intermittently gripping and feeding the mounting member relatively to the dies and for supporting said member when the dies are in open position, said first named means comprising air cylinders with pistons in said cylinders and a plunger coupling each piston with one of said dies, said plunger having a disc mounted thereon for engagement by the piston.

10. An automatic die casting machine for forming groups of undercut castings on a mounting member comprising a pair of dies having cavities on adjacent surfaces thereof for forming a group of individual castings on a mounting member disposed between said adjacent surfaces of the dies, means for initiall moving the dies toward each other through the medium of low pressure air, means for introducing high pressure air to the first named means for moving and holding the dies in fully closed position, means for separating the dies upon the exhaust of said high pressure air, gripper and feed means for intermittently gripping and feeding the mounting member relatively to the dies and for supporting said member when the dies are in open position, said first named means comprising air cylinders with 13 pistons in each cylinder and a plunger couplin each piston with one of said dies, said plunger having a disc mounted thereon for engagement by the piston, and shock-absorbing means within the cylinder for cushioning movement of the piston in each cylinder to eliminate wear upon adjacent surfaces of the dies. 11. An automatic die casting machine for forming groups of undercut castings on a mounting member comprising a pair of dies having cavities on adjacent surfaces thereof for forming a group of individual castings on a mounting member disposed between said adjacent surfaces of the dies, means for initially moving the dies toward each other through the medium of low pressure air, means for introducing high pressure air to the first named means for moving and holding the dies in fully closed position, means for separating the dies upon the exhaust of said high pressure air, gripper and feed means for intermittently gripping and feeding the mounting member relatively to the dies and for supporting said member when the dies are in open position, said first named means comprising air cylinders with pistons in each cylinder and a plunger coupling each piston with one of said dies and f eeler means operati-vely engaging each plunger to automatically stop operation of the machine in the event the dies are not closed b said high pressure air.

12. An automatic die casting machine for forming groups of undercut castings on a mount ing member comprising a pair of dies having cavities on adjacent surfaces thereof for forming a group of individual castings on a mounting member disposed between said adjacent surfaces of the dies, means for initially moving the dies toward each other through the medium of low pressure air, means for introducing high pressure air to the first named means for moving and holding the dies in fully closed position, means for separating the dies upon the exhaust of said high pressure air, gripper and feed means for intermittently gripping and feeding the mounting member relatively to the dies and for supporting said member when the dies are in open position, said first named means comprising air cylinders with pistons in each cylinder and a plungercoupling each piston with one of said dies, and means for adjusting each cylinder in order to control the abutting engagement of said adjacent die surfaces.

13. An automatic die casting machine for forming groups of undercut castings on a mounting member compriisng a pair of dies having cavities on adjacent surfaces thereof for forming a group of individual castings on a mounting member disposed between said adjacent surfaces of the dies, means for initially moving the dies toward each other through the medium of low pressure air, means for introducing high pressure air to the first named means for moving and holding the dies in fully closed position, means for injecting casting material into the cavities of the dies in their fully closed position, means for separating the dies upon the exhaust of said high pressure air, gripper and feed means for intermittently gripping and feeding the mounting member relatively to the dies and for supporting said member when the dies are in open position, said first named means comprising air cylinders with pistons in each cylinder and a plunger coupling each piston with one of said dies, and means for stopping the injection of casting material into the die cavities for a predetermined number of cycles of operation of the machine in order to space the groups of castings on the mounting member.

14. An automatic die casting machine for forming groups of undercut castings on a mounting member comprising a pair of dies having cavities on adjacent surfaces thereof for forming a group of individual castings on a mounting member disposed between said adjacent surfaces of the dies, means for initially moving the dies toward each other through th medium of low pressure air, means for introducing high pressure air to the first named means for moving and holding the dies in fully closed position, means for separatin the dies upon the exhaust of said high pressure air, gripper and feed means for inter mittently gripping and feeding the mounting member relatively to the dies and for supporting 'said member when the dies are in open position,

said first named means comprising a pair of air cylinders with a piston in each cylinder and a plunger coupling each piston with one of said dies, and manually actuated means for moving one of said cylinders and its corresponding plunger and die away from and towards the other cylinder and its corresponding plunger and die.

15. An automatic die casting machine for forming groups of undercut castings on a mounting member comprising a pair of dies having cavities on adjacent surfaces thereof for forming a group of individual castings on a mounting member disposed between said adjacent surfaces of the dies, means for initially moving the dies toward each other through the medium of low pressure air, means for introducing high pressure air to the first named means for moving and holding the dies in fully closed position, means for separating the dies upon the exhaust of said high pressure air, gripper and feed means for intermittently gripping and feeding the mounting member relatively to the dies and for supporting said member when the dies are in open position, said first named means comprising air cylinders with pistons in each cylinder and a plunger coupling each piston with one of said dies, said cylinders and plungers being arranged in the machine to move the dies angularly to each other.

16. An automatic die casting machine comprising a pair of dies having cavities on adjacent surfaces thereof for formin castings on a mounting member disposed between said adjacent surfaces of the dies, means for initially moving the dies toward each other through the medium of low pressure air, means for introducing high pressure air to the first named means for moving and holding the dies in fully closed position, means for separating the dies upon release of said high pressure air, gripper and feed means for intermittently gripping and feeding the mounting member relatively to the dies and for supporting said member when the dies are in open position, and means comprising an air cylinder for actuating said gripper and feed means.

17. An automatic die casting machine comprising a pair of dies having cavities on adjacent surfaces thereof for forming castings on a mounting member disposed between said adjacent surfaces of the dies, air pressure means for moving the dies toward each other and holding the dies in fully closed position, means for separating, the dies upon release of said air, and gripper and feed means for intermittently gripping and feeding the mounting member relatively tothe dies and for supporting said member when the dies are in open position, means comprising an air cylinder for actuating said gripper and feed means, said last mentioned means including a pair or pivoted gripperjaws movable toward and from each other to engage and release the mounting member, and means comprising a pair of air actuated plungers for supporting'said jaws in position to grip the mountin member.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 in which said gripper jaws have a toothed engagement with each other for equalizingmovement of the jaws-toward and from each other.

19. In an automatic die casting machine employing a mounting member and a pair of dies for intermittently forming castings on spaced sections of said member, a gripper and feed mechanism comprising a pair of grippers, air actuated means for supportin the grippers in operative engagement with a mounting member, means for opening the grippers upon the release of the air supply to said last named means, an air actuated plunger for moving said gripper and feed mechanism in order to feed the mounting member relatively to the dies, means for moving said plunger in the opposite direction in order to move said mechanism relatively to the mounting member, said gripper mechanism being hingedly supported adjacent the dies and swingable away from the dies in order to expose the same.

20. In an automatic, cyclically operating, die

16 casting machine of th class described employing-air operated die-units, the combination therewith of: air-operated :stop switch means for shutting down said machine, valve means for controlling thesupply of air to said stop switch means, feeler means 'engageable with said die units and also with said valve means, said feeler means on improper operation of the die units being adapted to actuate said valve means whereby said stop switch means acts to shut down the machine, air actuated workpiece gripper and feed means, a power-actuated'valve for controlling the-supply'and exhaust of air to said die units and gripper and :feed means in each cycle of operation of the machine, and said valve including means 'for supplying both low and high pressure air to saiddie units.

LOUIS H. MORIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file 0f this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,186,402 Irelan June 6, 1916 1,975,966 Morin Oct. 9, 1934 2,129,351 Flamang Sept. 6, 1938 2,193,125 Evans Mar. 12, 1940 2,224,980 Morin Dec. 17, 1940 2,272,220 Morin Feb. 10, 1942 2337.766 Newell Dec. 28. 1943 

